5 Trader Joe’s Party Appetizers We Love (Plus 5 to Pass On)

Whether you’re throwing a dinner party, having people over to watch The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, or hosting an impromptu happy hour after work, there’s no need to go all Martha with the appetizers. Instead, just check out Trader Joe’s frozen, ready-to-heat appetizers.

There are some great options out there that need nothing more than a short spin through the oven, which means you can focus on more important things like, um, cleaning up your kitchen before guests arrive.

But which are the best frozen appetizers? We tried 10 of Trader Joe’s most popular appetizers, and while there aren’t any particularly bad choices, some are definitely better than others.

Here are five frozen appetizers from Trader Joe’s that are a total win, and five that we’d skip.

You may want to grab an extra box because these are gonna go fast! Rather than one large cheese round, go for these two-bite sweet and savory appetizers. They cook up in a fraction of the time, and are bound to be a hit.

Read more: What’s the Difference Between Brie and Camembert?

Unlike the homemade version, the Trader Joe’s version uses an outer shell more akin to pie crust than puff pastry dough.

Caramelized onions, melted Swiss, and broth channel the signature flavor we know and love in French onion soup, although you won’t need a spoon because it’s all stuffed into a bite-sized piece of puff pastry.

Related: I Tried Trader Joe’s Brilliant New Frozen Party Appetizer – Here’s What I Thought

Nothing against this trio of goodness, but it’s worth the effort to make this from scratch versus opting for the freezer aisle version. The biggest downfall is that the dates are on the tiny side, so this box of 10 isn’t likely to serve many people.

Don’t be surprised if these bite-sized cheese balls leave your guests speechless. They’re mixed with a combo of mozzarella, Parm, and cream cheese for a soft, gooey center. Plus, there’s a touch of garlic and herbs and a blanket of panko that crisps up in the oven. Bonus points for including a bowl of marinara sauce for dipping!

When it comes to party food favorites, this duo of greens with a bit of Parm doesn’t quite measure up. These bite-sized snacks are best reserved for those nights when you want to kick back with Netflix and crave something that’s both comforting and makes you feel kinda healthy-ish.

Go for the sure thing; scallops wrapped in bacon are always a party hit. We especially like the subtle brown sugar glaze that adds just the right amount of sweetness.

If you want an appetizer where the seafood shines, this one isn’t quite it. This duo of lemongrass shrimp wontons and Kung Pao shrimp rolls sound like the bite-sized dim sum hits, but both go heavy on the wrapping and too light on the shrimp filling.

Caramelized onions, puff pastry, and melted cheese — is there really anything more to say? These pastry cups may just be our favorite frozen appetizer from Trader Joe’s. A tried-and-true hit!

These are a step up from regular pigs in a blanket, and certainly delicious, but they’re best served while you’re watching the game on Sunday.

What are your favorite frozen appetizers from Trader Joe’s?